New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-15
FARMERS MAY NOW REJOICE
TIE DRIVEN WELL PATENT INVALID
IMPORTANT DECISION OF TIE UNITED STATES
NsI-

IMPORTANT DECISION OF TIE UNITED STATES
SUPREME COURT.
After years Of litigation the United States Supreme
Court at Washington decided Yesterday that what Is
known as the Driven We'll Patent is invalid. The court
thus i'll a its own decisions Tor III
many former brought before 1t The validity OF this
patent has always been sustained The present decision
is based the record III Case No. l0-Neis"h W. "leeh
and others against George Hovcy-called up on appear
from the United States Circuit Court for the southern
District of Iowa, which sets forth the fac ts' Tue
invention claimed by Green was In rracucal use az
Cortland, y. v, more than two years before apphc"""
for patent made by him.
While the decision will not seriously hurt Mt Green
and his associates, for the patent won!u nave eNP'u ~
limitation within year or two. 1t VIII give aouhu"h -!
and relief TO farmers and landowners throughout the
country upon whom multitude OF drivel-weli con-
sprators has been proving Ior dozen years NO ono
las attributed fraud TO Mr. Green. Tie driven well Is
acknowledged to be Of the greatest Inventions VI
modern times and the who by risking MS FORTUNE "
the undertaking made it possible for every FARMER "
the United States to draw supply OF wafer from '
earth at small expense deserved all the pro'econ JUG
Government could give him. II seems "ou"o''"iE
stron0e that after enjoying this protection i"r nearly
seventeen years-the legal life OF pa''ht ''s p"'"'
shoud be declared patent because Johh Jones "Sen
-, t,reptjon in Cortland. y. Y. some nineteen
wears Ago IL shows dangerously weak spot IN our
natent laws which framed for the express purpose
OF encouraging invention
The chief causes OF complaint against the Green
patents have the depredatons of certain parasites
of civilization known shyscrS species OF insect
which lives by preying community as vultnrc
preys on q carcass. These cXcresccnccS have been
annoying, depressing ana robbing the farming poDa-
ton the country for many years after this manner:
The perpa,etG well driver provided With al the cccS-
sary machines and appliances pclsuadcs the farmer To
let him drive a well his premises for say $40 Tie
work done aud paid for and the driver goes his way
Some weeks after when the well has become JOY for
ever and necessity the farmer he is suddenly IN the
midst OF layngby or harvest, summoned to court 20
answer suit that has been brought against lin by
Mr. shyster, attorney ana counsellor at law. Arrived
at court. which may be distant days Journey or such
he IL amazed IN learn that lie Is being Sned Tor
ROYALTY of SIC due well which soandSh drove or
him at such time. or course there being no answer l9e
against him. and he IL forced 10 pay not only
the $40 royalty which he Willingly wnuld nave pld t
the had he been asked but the costs we'll II Is
unnecessary To inquire how much OF all TINS scks 10 Ie
fingers of Mr. Shlsicr. The owner OF patent never
receives the full value of II from purchaser NO farmer
in land who paid so royalty for the privilege OF
having a DRIVEN well would submit to It's removal Tor
10 MIR. Green the small fee which tle Government
allowed him TO charge. hut against the evaporation
caused by avaricous shystcrs WORKING hOihinail!'
under Mr.. Green's orders.
Cases of this kind occurred in the lraneclate
reghbOrhoOd of this city. Edward \. blchcr>un me
famous patent LAWYER had three wells driven on MS
done visited by little lawyer who DENIAL" 'ed thc
usual tlty Mr.. DlckerSOn paid II Willingly, aicr
explanations made. OF course Inc niue atolc!
didn't dare him.
Mr. Dckerson told a TRIBJ'SE reporter last night tn2t
persons who had paid the royalty 10 MI Green OF MS
agents could not recover their money
Nelson W. Green WAS Colonel OF one OF tAe carry ~
York regiments. HIS regiment stationed III dlfdA
County, Virginia, early III the war